Calcium-tin alloys as anodes for rechargeable non-aqueous calcium-ion batteries at room temperature.

Zhao-Karger, Zhirong; Xiu, Yanlei; Li, Zhenyou; Reupert, Adam; Smok, Thomas; Fichtner, Maximilian · Nat Commun · 2022

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Rechargeable calcium batteries possess attractive features for sustainable energy-storage solutions owing to their high theoretical energy densities, safety aspects and abundant natural resources. However, divalent Ca-ions and reactive Ca metal strongly interact with cathode materials and non-aqueous electrolyte solutions, leading to high charge-transfer barriers at the electrode-electrolyte interface and consequently low electrochemical performance. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and elucidate the electrochemical properties of calcium-tin (Ca-Sn) alloy anodes for Ca-ion chemistries. Crystallographic and microstructural characterizations reveal that Sn formed from electrochemically dealloying the Ca-Sn alloy possesses unique properties, and that this in-situ formed Sn undergoes subsequent reversible calciation/decalciation as CaSn<sub>3</sub>. As demonstration of the suitability of Ca-Sn alloys as anodes for Ca-ion batteries, we assemble coin cells with an organic cathode (1,4-polyanthraquinone) in an electrolyte of 0.25 M calcium tetrakis(hexafluoroisopropyloxy)borate in dimethoxyethane. These electrochemical cells are charged/discharged for 5000 cycles at 260 mA g<sup>-1</sup>, retaining a capacity of 78 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> with respect to the organic cathode. The discovery of new class of Ca-Sn alloy anodes opens a promising avenue towards viable high-performance Ca-ion batteries.